Canker sores are small ulcers in the mouth caused by an assortment of viruses. A susceptibility to canker sores tends to run in families. No successful conventional treatment is available.
Proposed Natural Treatments for Canker Sores
A highly preliminary study suggests that a chemically altered form of the herb licorice known as
deglycyrrhizinated licorice
(DGL) may be useful for speeding the resolution of canker sores.
1
And, in a second, better designed trial employing a dissolving adhesive patch with glycyrrhiza root extract, researchers noted an improvement in ulcer size and pain compared to the use of a placebo patch.8
A product containing vitamins and minerals as well as the herbs paprika,
rosemary
,
peppermint
, milfoil,
hawthorn
, and
pumpkin seed
has been used in Scandinavia for many years as a treatment for various mouth-related conditions. A small 6-month study reported that use of this product could reduce frequency of canker sores.
2
However, two subsequent studies failed to find any meaningful benefit.
3-4
One small double-blind study found benefits with an extract of the bark of the red mangrove tree,
Rhizophora mangle
.
5
One study failed to find that alpha-linolenic acid from perilla oil reduced incidence of canker sores.
6
References
1:
Das SK, Das V, Gulati AK, et al. Deglycyrrhizinated liquorice in aphthous ulcers.
J Assoc Physicians India
. 1989;37:647.
2:
Pedersen A, Hougen HP, Klausen B et al. LongoVital in the prevention of recurrent aphthous ulceration.
J Oral Pathol Med
. 1990;19:371-375.
3:
Brateli J, Hakeberg M, Jontell M et al. The effect of LongoVital on recurrent aphthous stomatitis in a controlled clinical trial.
Oral Health Prev Dent
. 2005;3:3-8.
4:
Kolseth I, Herlofson B, Pedersen A et al. Norwegian LongoVital and recurrent aphthous ulceration: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Oral Dis. 2005;11:374-378.
5:
de Armas E, Sarracent Y, Marrero E et al. Efficacy of Rhizophora mangle aqueous bark extract (RMABE) in the treatment of aphthous ulcers: a pilot study. Curr Med Res Opin. 2005;21:1711-1715.
6:
Hamazaki K, Itomura M, Hamazaki T et al. Effects of cooking plant oils on recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Nutrition. 2006 Feb 9. [Epub ahead of print]
7:
Sharquie KE, Al-Tammimy SM, Al-Mashhadani S, et al. Lactic acid 5 percent mouthwash is an effective mode of therapy in treatment of recurrent aphthous ulcerations.
Dermatol Online J.
2006;12:2.
8:
Martin MD, Sherman J, van der Ven P, et al. A controlled trial of a dissolving oral patch concerning glycyrrhiza (licorice) herbal extract for the treatment of aphthous ulcers. Gen Dent. 2008;56:206-210;quiz 211-212, 224.
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
